Chris Sutton has said on BBC Radio 5 Live (8pm, February 27, 2023) that Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah could now feel “unwanted” after manager Mikel Arteta decided to drop him from the starting lineup against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League this past weekend.
Arsenal got the better of Leicester 1-0 in the league this past Saturday afternoon.
Gabriel Martinelli scored the only goal of the match in the opening minute of the second half.
Leandro Trossard provided the assist.
Trossard is a winger by trade, but Arteta decided to use him as a false 9.
Nketiah did not start.
Former Chelsea striker and BBC Sport pundit Sutton has said that the £100,000-a-week (LondonWorld) 23-year-old English striker could feel disappointed and not wanted after Arteta’s decision.
Chris Sutton on Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah
Sutton said: “I just wonder the effect that could have on Nketiah, though, the fact that he hasn’t been in a great run of form for the past couple of previous games, but he was the man going into the team when Jesus was injured.
“I just wonder the psychological affect that could maybe have on him, to think that he has been discarded and maybe doesn’t feel as wanted.”
Staying positive
In our view, Eddie Nketiah should stay positive and should not feel too bad about not starting for Arsenal against Leicester City this past weekend.
The striker has not been in great form in recent weeks.
It was only a matter of time before Arteta was going to try something different.
Now, we know that Gabriel Jesus is close to getting full fit.
That means that Nketiah is going to find it very tough to get into the starting lineup.
But the 23-year-old will be aware of that.
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